Book Review : Babe in Boyland by Jody Gehrman

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Babe in Boyland by Jody Gehrman

Product Details
  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Hardcover: 304 pages
  • Publisher: Dial (February 17, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0803732740
  • ISBN-13: 978-0803732742
  • Available on: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository
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When high school junior Natalie--or Dr. Aphrodite, as she calls herself when writing the relationship column for her school paper--is accused of knowing nothing about guys and giving girls bad relationship advice, she decides to investigate what guys really think and want. But the guys in her class won't give her straight or serious answers. The only solution? Disguising herself as a guy and spending a week at Underwood Academy, the private all-boy boarding school in town. There she learns a lot about guys and girls in ways she never expected--especially when she falls for her dreamy roommate, Emilio. How can she show him she likes him without blowing her cover?

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Having not read any of Jody Gehrman’s other books, I opened Babe in Boyland, not knowing what to expect. The synopsis reminds me of Amanda Bynes' movie - She's The Man, K-Drama He's Beautiful and Taiwanese drama, Hanazakari no Kimitachi e, in which the heroines go cross-dressing as a guy in a foreign place, but with different motives. I was a little worried that Babe in Boyland will fall into the same mold as the movies/dramas, but turns out, it doesn’t fall back on tired stereotypes. The cross-dressing is just a factor in the story that enables our gutsy heroine to find out the Top 7 Secrets about Guys.

In fact,
Jody Gehrman does a great job in explaining how Natalie goes undercover as a new (male) student - Nat Rodgers - in Underwood High. The details on how she does certain things are brilliantly explained, like how she mimicks a guy's strut, how she practices to keep her voice low and manly, and ultimately: how she keeps her identity a secret to the guys at Underwood. She uses Natalie's character to give readers an insight on how people act around different surroundings, which is quite true considering how multifaceted us humans are.

This story is told from Natalie's (a.k.a. Nat Rodgers) perspective, which is a good choice since we get to see things through her eyes. What makes this book so entertaining is that the author has a wry sense of humour which never fail to make me
chortle like a maniac. Really, it is hilarious! There was one particular scene where I laughed until my tears start rolling down, and my distracted little brother peeled himself away from his computer game to ask me what's wrong. LOL.

Although Babe in Boyland seems to be funny and cheery, i
t has a real depth within. The story itself actually offers truths about real friendship and why love relationships get strained or broken. Tolerance and acceptance is indispensable to maintain a loving relationship between a couple. With witty dialogues and realistic scenes, this book is bound to capture your heart.

Overall, Babe in Boyland is a refreshing, light and quick read.
Jody Gehrman definitely deserves a bunch of compliments for creating such a highly lovable and enjoyable story. Well done, Jody!

Rating:
5 (I THIS BOOK!)

I received an ARC of
Babe in Boyland from the author for this review. Thanks, Jody!

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Jody Gehrman
Jody Gehrman is the author of six novels and numerous plays. Babe in Boyland, Triple Shot Bettys in Love, and Confessions of a Triple Shot Betty are her Young Adult novels, all published by Penguin's Dial Books. Notes from the Backseat, Tart, and Summer in the Land of Skin are her adult novels. Tart was a Booksense notable in 2005 and won an RT Bookclub critics' award. Her plays have been produced in Ashland, New York, San Francisco and L.A. She is a professor of English at Mendocino College.

Visit Jody's Website


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http://www.thestranger.com/images/icons/love.gif Giveaway dates: Mar 20-Apr 20, 2011
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2 creative remarks:

fredamans said...

Fantastic review! Thanks for recommending it, I have it on my wish list!

Lauren @ Lauren Reads YA said...

I didn't expect this book to be have any depth at all--judging by the title and the cover. But you made it seem so much better and I'm definitely going to read this. Hopefully very soon. :)